CMS Develops New Code for Coronavirus Lab Test

February 2020 ~

On February 13, CMS introduced a new code that enables laboratories conducting Coronavirus tests to bill for the specific test instead of using an unspecified code.

Specifically, the agency developed a new HCPCS code for providers and labs to test patients for SARS-CoV-2. According to the announcement, this code will allow labs conducting 2019-Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) tests to bill for the specific test instead of using an unspecified code.

CMS says that billing for specific tests will also promote better tracking of the public health response for this particular strain of the coronavirus and help protect people from the spread of this infectious disease.

Health care providers who need to test patients for Coronavirus using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2019 Novel Coronavirus Real Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Test Panel may bill for that test using the newly created HCPCS code (U0001).

The Medicare claims processing system will be able to accept this code on April 1, 2020, for dates of service on or after February 4, 2020.

For More Information:

• Memo: Critical steps for health care facilities to prepare
• Memo: Information for CLIA-certified laboratories on how to test

See the full text of this excerpted CMS News Alert (issued February 13).

Source(s): MLN Connects for February 20, 2020;